Naïve Classique welcomes newcomers to the Vivaldi Edition: renowned violinist Riccardo Minasi and a new baroque orchestra, Il Pomo d'Oro. "L'Imperatore" is the 46th title in the Vivaldi Edition and the 4th volume, out of approximately 12, of the series dedicated to the violin concertos whose manuscripts are held in the National Library of Turin. All the concertos selected here have been composed for, dedicated to or performed in front of Charles VI (1685-1740), sovereign of the Habsburg Empire, renowned as a patron and passionate lover of music. This series of 7 concertos is an overview of the complete art of Vivaldi as a composer and violinist: large scale of music, invention, expression, energy, power of evocation, considerable virtuosity. Riccardo Minasi is a leading Italian baroque violinist and is also an established conductor.

American Record Guide, September / October 2012On the other hand, whereas Ms Crawford found Gatti and his colleagues making a sound of nearly orchestral fullness, it seems to me that Montanari - clearly the leading spirit of his ensemble - seeks a "chamber" leanness. He is among the most adventurous of our performers in pushing tempos to extremes of slow and fast, and he adds phrasing or agogic touches that can boarder on the eccentric. I would also bet that it was his idea not only to scramble the order of these sonatas but to put No. 12 as the very first, for a particularly sensational opening.

In all, I would recommend London Baroque or Glossa as the most satisfying choices. But there is no doubt that Naive offers excitement and sharp detail. And it alone has managed to fit the entire set on just one disc.

BBC Music Magazine, September 2012Riccardo Minasi is a player with lively feeling for theatrical gesture and a technique that comfortably accommodates Vivaldi's virtuosity. He breathes life into these wonderfully expressive concertos with a musical rapport that perhaps responds more readily to bravura passages than to lyrical ones...committed Vivaldians should be delighted.

Gramophone Magazine, September 2012His virtuosity cannot be doubted and his tone courses like a young stream but a restless imagination looks beyond straightforward niceness and elegance for something deeper, more sharply moulded, in places even darker...This is not really Vivaldi as easy listening...But for anyone wanting a touch of Dionysian poetry, it is a disc worth returning to.

International Record Review, June 2012Minasi is certainly an impressive virtuoso and his playing is rhythmically exciting and expressively affecting in equal measure. His account of the Largo of the G minor Concerto, RV327 is beautifully sustained and tenderly spoken. Yet too often, elsewhere, I feel cheated of the music's 'gentillesse' and its lyricism. Notwithstanding such misgivings, though, this is impressive playing by all concerned.